Five VI Riders on B.C. Freestyle Teams

Last year the VI Riders encouraged more girls to join their Club. They succeeded, drawing eight female competitors. And some of them are going to move on to competitions this year, said Kelsa Donald, who along with her husband Dave runs the Snowboard Club.

Last year the girls went to a Chickadees Jam on Grouse Mountain, which was their first exposure to an all-female Competition.

The Riders have hired a second female Coach this year in anticipation of strong numbers, Kelsa Donald said. “My interest is getting these female athletes out on the Snowboard Circuit because they’re good.”

The Club has seen growth in each of its first three years. “Last year we had 27 Riders. We’re expecting to grow quite a bit more this year,” she said.

Five of the VI Rider boys are riding with the Provincial Team this year. Jeremy Melanson and David Kinskofer join Donald on the B.C. Provincial Freestyle Team, while two other Riders are with the Development Team.

The Club is making a name for itself, and has had inquiries from coaches as well as prospective riders.

“I think it’s started to get quite a presence on the Mountain,” Donald said. “They’re respectable kids and emerging athletes.”